Keygeek Briny vs. Everglide Sakura Pink
An in-depth look at the Keygeek Briny and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the ideal mechanical keyboard switch, the Keygeek Briny and Everglide Sakura Pink both stand out as compelling linear options, each catering to different preferences and typing styles. The Briny is known for its balanced sound profile, thanks to its UPE stem and pure PA66 bottom housing, which offers a pleasing auditory experience without overwhelming noise. In contrast, the Everglide Sakura Pink switches excel in their ultra-light actuation force of just 35g, making them perfect for delicate typists who appreciate a smooth and effortless keystroke. Notably, the Sakura Pinks deliver a delightful poppy sound, reminiscent of bubble wrap being popped, which adds a playful, engaging layer to typing tasks. While both switches provide a linear feel devoid of tactile bumps, the Briny offers a more balanced acoustic presence, whereas the Sakura Pink focuses on a lighter, frictionless operation. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
35g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
UPE
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Keygeek Briny and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches exhibit distinct characteristics in their housing materials that significantly influence their sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Briny features a nylon top housing, a classic material known for its softer properties. This allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller auditory output when typing. In contrast, the Sakura Pink is constructed with a polycarbonate top housing, a stiffer plastic that generates a sharper, higher-pitched sound. The differences in acoustics are a direct result of the materials' physical properties, with nylon leaning toward a duller and rounder sound profile, while polycarbonate provides a clearer, more resonant experience.
When examining the bottom housings of these switches, a similar pattern of contrast continues. The Briny employs nylon for its bottom housing, thus reinforcing the deeper sound profile it offers. It further emphasizes a fuller typing experience due to its sound-absorbing properties. Conversely, the Sakura Pink utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing that, like its top counterpart, contributes to a more pronounced, crisper sound. The rigidity of polycarbonate enhances not only the auditory feedback felt when bottoming out but also the overall clarity of each keystroke, creating a markedly different typing sensation compared to the softer nylon bottom of the Briny.
Despite these differences in materials, users interested in achieving specific sound profiles can leverage the contrasting characteristics of each switch's top and bottom housings. With the Briny's dual nylon construction, users are likely to enjoy a consistently warm and muffled sound, contributing to a more subdued typing environment. In contrast, the mixed polycarbonate construction of the Sakura Pink promises a livelier and clearer auditory experience. Depending on personal preference, typists can attain varying results by considering how the materials interact with each other: the nylon in the Briny enhances sound absorption while providing a cohesive, low-key feel, whereas the Sakura Pink’s polycarbonate setup captures an exciting blend of sharpness and resonance ideal for RGB keyboard setups.
Weight
When comparing the Keygeek Briny linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, notable differences emerge in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Briny features an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, making it a medium-weight switch that delivers a robust typing experience. In contrast, the Sakura Pink offers a lighter touch with an actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. This significant difference means that the Sakura Pink is better suited for users who prefer a lighter feel, ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming. Conversely, the Briny's heavier actuation and bottom out forces will appeal to those who enjoy a more substantial feel while typing. Overall, if you're looking for a lighter switch for longer use, the Everglide Sakura Pink would be the better choice, while the Keygeek Briny stands out for those who appreciate a firmer push.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Keygeek Briny linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, it's evident that the Briny offers a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Sakura Pink has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This difference in travel distance can significantly affect the typing experience. The Briny's shorter travel distance can provide quicker response times, which is often preferred by gamers looking for rapid key presses. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink's longer travel distance caters to those who enjoy a more pronounced feedback with a deeper press, which can feel more satisfying to some users. Thus, if you prefer a more responsive experience, the Keygeek Briny would be the better choice, whereas the Everglide Sakura Pink may appeal more to users who appreciate a sturdier depth in their key presses.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Keygeek Briny has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Briny for $3.29.
The Everglide Sakura Pink has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura Pink for $3.89.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
When it comes to sound, the Keygeek Briny linear switch presents a balanced sound profile that caters to users looking for a moderate auditory experience. Its construction with an UPE stem and pure PA66 bottom housing contributes to this balanced tone, making it a solid choice for users who appreciate a subtler sound without being overly muted. In contrast, the Everglide Sakura Pink is characterized by its delightfully poppy sound that evokes the playful sensation of bubble wrap being popped. This lively auditory characteristic, combined with a muted quality, suggests that the Sakura Pinks might be ideal for those who want a bit of acoustic excitement while still minimizing noise. However, it’s important to note that the overall sound experience can vary depending on the keyboard and keycap selections.
In terms of feel, the Briny switch's specific tactile qualities remain unspecified, making it difficult to provide a detailed comparison in this aspect. Meanwhile, the Sakura Pink switches excel in delivering an incredibly buttery and creamy typing sensation, attributed to their factory-lubricated design and lightweight 35g actuation force. This effortless typing experience reduces finger fatigue, making them particularly appealing for extended typing sessions. Their frictionless operation further enhances the ease of use, allowing typists to glide over the keys with minimal resistance. This combination of smoothness and lightness in the Sakura Pinks indicates a focus on comfort and responsiveness that may not directly correlate with the feel of the Briny.
In conclusion, while the Keygeek Briny linear switch offers a balanced sound profile, the Everglide Sakura Pink stands out with its playful sound quality and exceptionally smooth typing experience. The Briny may be a suitable option for those who prefer a moderate auditory presence, while the Sakura Pinks cater to users seeking a light, effortless feel and engaging sound. If you're exploring options for your mechanical keyboard and looking for an enjoyable typing experience, both switches will cater to differing preferences, but the unique tactile qualities of the Sakura Pink may provide a more inviting option for those prioritizing ease and fluidity in their keystrokes.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Keygeek Briny and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switches largely depends on your typing preferences and use cases. If you prefer a medium actuation force with a balanced sound profile and a satisfying, yet not overly loud typing experience, the Briny may be the better fit for you. Its solid 60-gram bottom-out force offers a more pronounced tactile feedback, making it suitable for those who enjoy a firmer keystroke while still keeping the noise minimal. On the other hand, if you are a delicate typist or someone who values an effortless typing experience, the Everglide Sakura Pink might be your best choice. With a feather-light actuation force of just 35 grams, these switches enable fluid and easy typing, perfect for long sessions without the fatigue associated with heavier switches. The muted sound profile, paired with their buttery and frictionless feel, contributes to an overall delightful experience, especially if you enjoy a playful auditory element compared to a more standard sound. Ultimately, base your decision on whether you prefer a medium resistance with defined feedback or an ultra-light and smooth sensation; either way, both switches can elevate your mechanical keyboard experience.